Four-story building proposed at former McKay Press site

Published 7:30 am, Saturday, August 6, 2011

A development company is eyeing downtown Midland for a major project that could change the landscape near Dow Diamond.

Midland Downtown Partners, LLC, plans to seek brownfield redevelopment credits for a proposed four-story, 230,265-square-foot building at 215 State St., the site of the former McKay Press building across the street from Dow Diamond.

The proposed project would cost about $33 million, of which about $27 million is anticipated to be eligible for a Michigan Business Tax Brownfield Redevelopment Credit, according to the Stadium District Brownfield Redevelopment Plan.

On Monday, the Midland City Council is expected to set a public hearing for Aug. 22 to gather input on the plan.

The development would add more than $9 million of taxable value to the property and create about 150 to 200 new jobs, the document states.

The developers also would seek reimbursement for some activities necessary to prepare the site for redevelopment from tax increment financing captured by the Midland Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Authority.

Part of the site — which includes property at 215 State, 614 E. Larkin, 709 E. Larkin and 608 E. Ellsworth streets — has contamination above residential use criteria while other parts are adjacent to those sites.

“The redevelopment of this site will require the performance of environmental and non-environmental activities that are necessary for demolishing the existing structures, addressing environmental conditions, relocating and improving public infrastructure, and preparing the site for redevelopment,” the plan states.

The project must be submitted to the state by Sept. 8 in order to be considered as part of the state’s brownfield redevelopment program since its fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

At its meeting on Monday the city council also will consider expanding a redevelopment district for another proposed project on Main Street.

The Better Grounds Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District No. 1 would expand to include the former Omeletes and More building at 112 E. Main St.

Grounds for a Better World plans to build a five-story, 44,198-square-foot multiple-use building at 114 E. Main St. The first floor is expected to be retail space, the second and third floors could be office or other uses and the fourth floor will have four residential units. The fifth floor will have a rooftop terrace.

The city council also will vote on a site plan for the project, which would add a new parking lot at the rear of the development with access off of Ashman Street.